Vintage Swiss Army Wool Blanket

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wolfhawk

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Hey guys, I wanted to ask a question if I may. The other day I picked up a wool blanket at a yard sale for $5. I knew right away what it was by it's texture and weight; as I have bought us mil wool blankets before down at the local army surplus for $20. This one however I think is a much better grade as it seems less scratchy, and I think it's what I've heard called long fiber, or a wool blanket made from new wool rather than recycled chopped up old blankets. At least thats how I think that works, I know when I looked at the new, still in the plastic us mil blankets at the surplus the other day I noticed it said "grade B". Anyway, to shorten this, the following night I decided to let the fire in my wood stove die down and let the house get cold and I wrapped up in my new yard sale blanket to take it for a test drive. Well I'd noticed it was gray rather than green and had a red stripe, but the lady that sold it to me looked for but couldn't find a pattern for turning a wool blanket into a coat and from that I inferred that this must be one of those blankets sold at rendezvous. But when I spread it out I noticed it had a coin that had a number on one side and three initials on the other. Well to make a long story short(er) I got curious and did some research and found out that it was a swiss army blanket made in by somebody with the initials E.D. back in 1944!
My question being, if you came across this, would you keep it for your bushcraft due to it's high quality, or would you sell it on ebay to buy other gear of equal quality but less vintage value. I ask this after having seen one just like mine online that was made in 1965 selling for $300. Thoughts?
Thanks for your time.
P.S. I really dunno if I can make myself sell this, but I'd really appreciate any input and info.
 
I'd hold on to it, but it defiantly wouldn't be heading out to the woods with me! Lol it'd be a wall hanger for sure.
 
Wow...that would be a bit of a quandry for me...the coolness factor would just be almost too much. My GI cook kit is 1944 and I'm searching for a matching canteen cup and canteen.

But then again, with the maker's coin and that kind of value? Yeah, I think I'd enjoy it for a few nights then sell it and get me a used lever-gun or join the waiting list for a Iz knife.
 
I managed to pounce on about 5-6 of those when they were selling for $20-25. I believe reproductions are selling for about the same price or more. They're not as large or heavy as the German "Bundes Eigentum" blankets, but they are still high quality. The blanket was made to be used, but I believe I would find another for the bush.
 
They are regularly listed on eBay for $300 but I doubt they are selling for those prices. I just bought 4 for $50 total from the same person that had them listed for $125 each two weeks prior.
 
I've got a few. They are my favorite surplus blankets. A few years ago you could get them online for $25. The inflated prices are due to A) all remaining inventory being purchased by the Sundance mail order catalog, who sell 'em for outrageous prices, and B) the deserved Swiss reputation for outstanding design and build quality.

They are great blankets. They are not "worth" $250, but if you can get that much, sell, immediately.
 
I found a real Hudson Bay point at a yard sale for $10. They sell for $250+ but that dosnt stop me from using it. It is a blanket. Use it.
 
Gryphonblade said:
Wow...that would be a bit of a quandry for me...the coolness factor would just be almost too much. My GI cook kit is 1944 and I'm searching for a matching canteen cup and canteen.

But then again, with the maker's coin and that kind of value? Yeah, I think I'd enjoy it for a few nights then sell it and get me a used lever-gun or join the waiting list for a Iz knife.
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Nice blanket find Wolfhawk. I’d personally use the thing! I can’t get over how hard and expensive to find 100% wool military surplus blankets. Prior to this year, the last time I bought them was in 2007, and they were not only much easier to find, but also a lot less expensive.

It’s not my intention to hijack the thread on mess kits, but I’d like to share this since it was brought up. Gryphonblade, those US mess kits are nice and handy dandy in my opinion. I managed to acquire four sets of them back in 1971. My dad’s buddy returned from his fourth tour in Vietnam, and he gave me a boatload of gear. It’s what we called 782 gear in the Corps or “deuce gear” for short.

I’ve got a mess kit that’s from 1944 as well, but it’s not photographed below due to the fact that it’s stored away in the basement. While the forks and spoons all seem to be identical, the knives come in two styles. The 40s version and 60s version knives will be included in the following photos.

005-2.jpg

006-1.jpg

016-1.jpg

017-2.jpg


Cheers,
Cheap and Squeaky
 
Thanks guys, for all the great responses and info. It seems the the line of thought is that it's a great quality blanket but that it might not sell for the prices I've seen online, and that I should use it. I've had time to think about it and I reckon gear really is made to be used. I don't think I'm gonna be taking it camping in a swamp during a pouring down rain, but from what ya'll have said it seems I have a good quality piece of gear that I might not run onto again like I did this time, and I reckon I'm gonna be real careful with it; as much as I love old stuff, after thinkin about it, I'd prolly always regret selling it. Again thanks for the thoughts, they really helped me make up my mind.
Also: Any tips for cleaning this or other wool blankets to remove sweat, dirt ect?
 
cheap'n'squeaky said:
Nice blanket find Wolfhawk. I’d personally use the thing! I can’t get over how hard and expensive to find 100% wool military surplus blankets. Prior to this year, the last time I bought them was in 2007, and they were not only much easier to find, but also a lot less expensive.

It’s not my intention to hijack the thread on mess kits, but I’d like to share this since it was brought up. Gryphonblade, those US mess kits are nice and handy dandy in my opinion. I managed to acquire four sets of them back in 1971. My dad’s buddy returned from his fourth tour in Vietnam, and he gave me a boatload of gear. It’s what we called 782 gear in the Corps or “deuce gear” for short.

I’ve got a mess kit that’s from 1944 as well, but it’s not photographed below due to the fact that it’s stored away in the basement. While the forks and spoons all seem to be identical, the knives come in two styles. The 40s version and 60s version knives will be included in the following photos.

005-2.jpg

006-1.jpg

016-1.jpg

017-2.jpg


Cheers,
Cheap and Squeaky
Click to expand...

Nice mess kit. I've got a couple kits like that except the flatware is different. The only flatware I have that came with them is a large spoon, fork, and as I recall, a not so great knife that all locked together so they wouldn't rattle.
 
I've seen several Woodman's Pals like the one I use sell for 2-300 dollars. I'd never sell it, or stop using it for that kind of money though. One of my favorite pieces of gear! Keep, and USE the blanket!
 
wolfhawk said:
I don't think I'm gonna be taking it camping in a swamp during a pouring down rain, but from what ya'll have said it seems I have a good quality piece of gear that I might not run onto again like I did this time, and I reckon I'm gonna be real careful with it; as much as I love old stuff, after thinkin about it, I'd prolly always regret selling it. Again thanks for the thoughts, they really helped me make up my mind.
Also: Any tips for cleaning this or other wool blankets to remove sweat, dirt ect?
Click to expand...

You don't need to baby it. They were designed to be used under harsh conditions, and were stored in caves for generations.

Washing instructions: cold water, gentle cycle, using Woolite or other gentle wool cleaner (my favorite is Kookabura), and hang dry in the shade. NO HEAT. That's it. Mud and nasty stuff aside, you shouldn't need to clean it too often. When completely dry, it can be hung out in the sun to eliminate any off-odors due to storage. Also, after a day or weekend of use, a few hours in the sun will help clean it up and dry out any trace moisture.

Enjoy. It's a winner.
 
I got mine from Sportsman's Guide a few years ago for less than $25, but those are long gone. The one I have has a white Swiss cross stitched into the center of each red stripe. The 'coin' was brass, but I removed it. It's a good dense, warm blanket.....I use mine for camping and in the deer blind all the time and it doesn't look any different than the day I got it. I just shake the leaves and sticks out of it and put it back in the truck behind the seatback.
 
brionic said:
You don't need to baby it. They were designed to be used under harsh conditions, and were stored in caves for generations.

Washing instructions: cold water, gentle cycle, using Woolite or other gentle wool cleaner (my favorite is Kookabura), and hang dry in the shade. NO HEAT. That's it. Mud and nasty stuff aside, you shouldn't need to clean it too often. When completely dry, it can be hung out in the sun to eliminate any off-odors due to storage. Also, after a day or weekend of use, a few hours in the sun will help clean it up and dry out any trace moisture.

Enjoy. It's a winner.
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Hey Thanks Man, now I know why they call it woolite. Before I always figured it was just something women cleaned their undies with. lol I know I'd heard you couldn't put one in the dryer and wasn't sure if you could put a wool blanket in a washing machine. Now that I'm sure of a proper cleaning technique I think I'll start looking closer at some of the wool outdoor shirts I've seen down at the surplus.
 
wolfy said:
I got mine from Sportsman's Guide a few years ago for less than $25, but those are long gone. The one I have has a white Swiss cross stitched into the center of each red stripe. The 'coin' was brass, but I removed it. It's a good dense, warm blanket.....I use mine for camping and in the deer blind all the time and it doesn't look any different than the day I got it. I just shake the leaves and sticks out of it and put it back in the truck behind the seatback.
Click to expand...

Sounds exactly like mine man. It's good to know that they are so durable and long lasting.
 
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